ROSAMOND — Deputies arrested a 63-year-old man after discovering a homemade explosive device during a routine traffic stop on Monday evening. Woodrow Randolph of Rosamond was booked into the Kern County Jail on three counts of possession of an explosive device.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when deputies from the Rosamond substation conducted a traffic stop on Mojave-Tropico Road near Sweetzer Avenue, in Rosamond around 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 27. While deputies were speaking with Randolph, they said they noticed a two-liter soda bottle, which had a fuse sticking out of it. “The device appeared to be homemade and was located behind the driver’s seat,” sheriff’s spokesperson Ray Pruitt said.
Randolph was immediately removed from his vehicle, and a further search determined the that the device was a “Piccolo Pete Bomb” — an improvised explosive device made from modifying fireworks. Deputies said they also discovered two additional complete “Piccolo Pete Bombs” located in a metal canister in the trunk of the vehicle. “The bomb squad was then called out to take custody of the devices,” Pruitt added.
Acting on probable cause, investigators obtained a search warrant for Randolph’s residence in the 6000 block of Firmament Avenue in Rosamond, and on Jan. 28, entered his home and discovered two two additional explosive devices, as well as materials used in making them.
Deputies said they also located a small amount of methamphetamine and a smoking pipe.
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